Congress has missed the September 30 deadline to pass a new farm bill, leaving major legislation that sets food and farm policy for the next five years in limbo. With no last-minute push to pass the bill or extend the current one, lawmakers are now expected to revisit the issue during the lame-duck session after the November election. If they fail to reach an agreement by the end of the year, critical programs could expire, leading to significant disruptions.

The farm bill, which has been in place for 90 years, has evolved far beyond its original focus on payments to support farmers. It now encompasses programs that protect wildlife habitats, address climate change, and provide essential nutrition assistance to millions of Americans through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Yet, the bill is more than a year behind schedule, with the bipartisan coalition that has traditionally advanced farm legislation in turmoil.

Farmers are feeling the uncertainty. Many are dealing with declining prices for their crops, while facing rising costs for inputs like fertilizer. Though key programs are funded through the end of the year, a failure to pass a new bill before the next crop year could have major consequences. If Congress doesn’t act, farm policy would revert to outdated laws from 1938 and 1949, which are inconsistent with modern farming practices and international trade agreements. According to a Congressional Research Service analysis, reverting to these policies could cost the federal government billions.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack likened the situation to “Groundhog Day,” saying the discussions seem stuck on the same issues. The delay largely comes down to disagreements over how to fund the bill and whether to place limits on nutrition and climate programs. Vilsack said Republicans “just don’t have the votes” for the current House Agriculture Committee version of the bill, which has been stalled for months.

The House Agriculture Committee, led by Republicans, approved a version of the farm bill in May along party lines, drawing criticism from Democrats who felt the process wasn’t as bipartisan as in the past. Historically, farm bills have required support from both parties to pass, given their size and the opposition they often face from fiscal conservatives.

With a potential government shutdown looming, lawmakers passed a temporary spending bill in late September to keep the federal government running through December 20. Some agriculture leaders had hoped the continuing resolution wouldn’t extend the farm bill, forcing Congress to address it sooner. Now, with a letter signed by 140 Republican House members urging leadership to prioritize the bill, there’s pressure on both sides to act.

Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have also expressed their desire to pass a new farm bill before the year ends. Jeffries listed it among his top priorities for the lame-duck session, along with appropriations and the National Defense Authorization Act.

Farmers and agricultural advocates are pushing hard for a resolution. Nearly 300 members of the National Farmers Union visited lawmakers in September to lobby for a new five-year bill, emphasizing the uncertainty they face with high input costs, low farm incomes, and the growing impact of natural disasters.

One of the key sticking points in negotiations has been over funding for SNAP. Democrats are opposed to a Republican-backed formula that would keep SNAP payments at current levels but freeze the ability of future administrations to raise them. They argue this would amount to a cut to food assistance, making the bill unpalatable to many.

The farm bill also includes provisions to raise price supports for crops like cotton, peanuts, and rice. However, Vilsack suggested lawmakers need to make difficult choices, either scaling back their expectations or finding new sources of revenue, possibly through changes to the tax code.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow has been working on a solution behind the scenes. Though the Senate committee hasn’t formally introduced a bill, Stabenow has hinted at ways to offset the increased costs. Yet, the path forward remains unclear, with time running short.

If lawmakers can’t find a solution before the year ends, the consequences for farmers and millions of Americans relying on federal nutrition programs could be significant. The next few months will determine whether Congress can come together to avoid the worst case scenario and pass a new farm bill that addresses the modern challenges of U.S. agriculture.